Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress on display - BBC News BBC News Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress on display 22 July 2011 Close share panel Media captionCurator Caroline de Guitaut explains the design of the dress The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton, is to go on display at Buckingham Palace on Saturday. The dress will be in the palace's ballroom from 23 July to 3 October during its annual summer opening. Curator Caroline de Guitaut said it was "very fitting" the exhibition was where the royal wedding reception took place. Ms Burton said Kate had wanted a dress with "presence and of historical importance" with a contemporary feel. The designer, whose identity was a closely guarded secret until the duchess's marriage to Prince William on 29 April, has rarely spoken about the dress. In a film of Ms Burton, which will also be on display alongside the dress in Buckingham Palace, the designer said she had wanted the dress "to look to the past, yet look to the future as well".

Image caption The embroiderers washed their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace pristine "There were a lot of references to Victorian corsetry, the padded hip, the tiny cinched-in waist, and also to the arts and crafts movement with all of the hand-work on the lace of the dress and also the bustle inside to create the shape of the back of the dress. "It has an essence of Victorian but we cut the dress in a very modern way. It is in a very light fabric. Also the pleats and the folds create a modern feel rather than a historical piece. "I think what we wanted to achieve was something that was incredibly beautiful and intricately worked." Ms Burton also described the dress - which includes six different types of lace - as a "real feat of engineering". Ms de Guitaut said she thinks visitors will be surprised by "how much detail and how much work" went into the creation of the dress. The dress in detail 1. The 1936 Cartier "halo" tiara was lent to the bride by the Queen 2. The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers 3.

The bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, is a hallmark of McQueen's designs 4. For the dress, individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and sewn onto ivory silk tulle 5. The train measures 2m 70cm 6. The shoes (hidden), made of satin with hand-embroidered lace, were also Alexander McQueen A history of royal weddings "The beauty really is in the detail," she said. The duchess's bridal gown featured lace applique floral detail - which was hand-made by embroiderers at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace - and was made of ivory and white satin gazar. The dress has a series of lace motifs including a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock to represent England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each motif, some as small as a five pence piece, was applied with minute stitches every two to three millimetres. The duchess's veil, tiara, Alexander McQueen bridal shoes and diamond earrings will also form part of the display.

Her veil, which was made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, was also embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The 1936 Cartier "halo" tiara was lent to the bride by the Queen, while Kate's diamond earrings were commissioned by the Middleton family as a personal gift to the bride from her parents. William and Kate's multi-tiered wedding cake, created by cake designer Fiona Cairns, will be recreated and shown in the state dining room to complement the wedding dress exhibition. Ms Cairns said the cake, which was covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers, was a "very rich, dark traditional fruitcake". Meanwhile it has emerged that the royal couple kept the top two tiers of their eight-tiered wedding cake - a tradition usually undertaken by couples who plan to serve the cake at the christening of their first born. Ms Burton joined Alexander McQueen's studio in 1996 as an intern, working alongside him on his collections for 12 years, before he took his own life in February 2010.

She was named creative director of the Alexander McQueen label the following May. Video: Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress designer 'humbled' by OBE - Telegraph UK News Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress designer 'humbled' by OBE Designer Sarah Burton, who created the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, said it was a "real honour" to receive an OBE. 4:16PM GMT 13 Dec 2012 Sarah Burton, the royal wedding dress designer, received an OBE at Buckingham Palace on Thursday for her contribution to the British fashion industry. The Creative Director for Alexander McQueen said: "It was very humbling, an amazing experience, [it] almost feels like a dream." Ms Burton was presented with the honour by the Prince of Wales as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Speaking about the recent news of the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy the designer said: "The Duke and Duchess will make amazing parents." The dress, which was admired around the world, was influenced by Victorian fashion with details such as, the cinched in waist, the padded hips and the bustle at the top of the train.

Related Content Kate wears timeless Sarah Burton dress to marry her prince - CNN.com Kate wears timeless Sarah Burton dress to marry her prince By Laura Allsop for CNN Catherine shows off her dress STORY HIGHLIGHTS Catherine Middleton's wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton Royal bride wears V-neck, floor-length, ivory and white satin gown British Vogue fashion editor says choice of dress accurately reflects Catherine's style Burton of Alexander McQueen was frontrunner for dress designer London (CNN) -- She arrived at Westminster Abbey as Kate Middleton and left the Duchess of Cambridge -- and her dress for the occasion couldn't have been more fitting. Kate walked down the aisle to meet her prince in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen designed dress. Befitting her signature elegant, timeless style, the floor-length, ivory and white satin gazar gown featured a heart-shaped-neck, demure, long sleeves, and a full skirt with train that measured 2 meters and 70 cm, and a veil. The bodice, meanwhile, was made from ivory satin, and drew from Victorian traditions of corsetry -- a hallmark of the late Lee Alexander McQueen's designs that brand Creative Director Sarah Burton continues to pay tribute to.

Burton was the frontrunner for some time for the much-speculated-about dress and is known for her exceptional tailoring and for the softer, more feminine approach she brings to the late McQueen's celebrated, avant-garde label. Knocking off Catherine's wedding dress Diana and Catherine: A side-by-side look Wang: Middleton's dress elegant choice Kate Middleton walks to her prince "It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every moment of it," said Burton in a press statement. "The last few months have been very exciting and an incredible experience for my team and I as we have worked closely with Catherine to create this dress under conditions of the strictest secrecy," Burton continued. Click here to see images of Catherine's dress Calgary Avansino, executive fashion editor at British Vogue, said the choice of dress accurately reflects Catherine's style and shows a blossoming fashion sense likely to mature as she settles into her new role. "I think initially when it started leaking out, that Sarah Burton would be designing the dress, I was a little bit surprised," Avansino said.

"I think the only fear people had with a McQueen dress was that it would be overly-dramatic and theatrical for her and how she dresses, but Sarah's done it brilliantly," she said, adding that it looked very much as though the bride had the final say on what she wore. Premier bridal designer Vera Wang agreed, saying the design of a wedding dress "is always a collaborative piece of work." The beautiful and understated dress was made with hand-cut English lace while French Chantilly lace was used throughout the bodice and skirt. Kate complemented the look with a veil and Cartier tiara that once belonged to the late Queen Mother. McQueen is of the newer crop, it's edgier and it shows she's going to carve her own fashion path --James Fallon, Editor, Women's Wear Daily The now Duchess of Cambridge was successful throughout her engagement in keeping the choice of dress a secret, despite intense media scrutiny and a leak that Burton would be designing it. Burton denied rumors, throwing many off the scent and prompting speculation that it would be designed by one-time McQueen employee Sophie Cranston. But she was spotted on the morning of the wedding entering the Goring Hotel, where the bride was staying.

Burton also created the dress of Philippa Middleton, Catherine's sister and maid of honor. Befitting her more relaxed but nonetheless elegant style, Philippa wore a slim-line, ivory satin-based crepe dress with cowl neck and cap sleeves. The four bridesmaids wore sweet dresses with full skirts and bows at the back by children's-wear designer Nicki Macfarlane. It is the first time that the new Duchess of Cambridge has stepped out in Alexander McQueen and according to James Fallon, editor of indispensable U.S. fashion trade journal Women's Wear Daily, the choice makes a bold statement about where her fashion sense may be headed. I think the only fear people had with a McQueen dress was that it would be overly-dramatic and theatrical for her and how she dresses, but Sarah's done it brilliantly --Calgary Avansino, Executive Fashion Editor, British Vogue RELATED TOPICS Westminster Abbey "It shows that Kate isn't afraid of taking a modern route. There was all the speculation about designers such as Bruce Oldfield or Catherine Walker, who are excellent designers, but in a more traditional sense," he said.

"McQueen is of the newer crop, it's edgier and it shows she's going to carve her own fashion path," he continued. The choice will likely change Burton's career forever, according to Elizabeth Emanuel, who alongside husband David designed Princess Diana's meringue dress for her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981. "It was just something that was incredible for us, it changed out lives, literally," Emanuel has said of the experience. Fallon said that the choice of dress will have larger repercussions on the wider fashion industry, not just on the life of the lucky designer. "There will be seamstresses sewing away like mad as we speak, trying to copy the dress and there are going to be a lot of interpretations of it at all price points," he told CNN. But Tony Glenville, creative director at the prestigious London College of Fashion, said that while cheap knock-offs will doubtless start making the rounds, the dress is actually very hard to copy successfully. What is special about the dress, he said, is the way it distills a particularly British sense of style and the way it celebrates home-grown craftmanship. "It strengthens us for what we do really well, which is grand occasion wear," he said.

"What's beautiful about the dress is that from a distance it's a superb, strong silhouette, in that very big space, but in huge close-up on camera, there's exquisite detail from the Royal College of Needlework," he continued. Catherine Middleton's style has been pored over ever since her engagement to Prince William was announced in November, and been a subject of some debate among fashion journalists, with some applauding her relaxed but chic manner of dressing while others have labeled it conservative and even dull. Both Fallon and Avansino agreed that the appointment will be a huge boost to the Alexander McQueen label and a great boost to Burton's profile, who has so far only designed two collections since Lee Alexander McQueen tragically took his own life last year. "It's especially important for Sarah, McQueen is well known and after his death she had to take over and prove that she could do as well as he had and I think this really showcases that," Avansino said.

Share this on: Duchess of Cambridge wedding dress steals the show at Buckingham Palace | Fashion | The Guardian Duchess of Cambridge wedding dress steals the show at Buckingham Palace The weakness of the exhibition is that, for a wedding dress display, it is curiously unromantic Buckingham Palace exhibition curator, Caroline de Guitaut, adjusts the wedding dress of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Photograph: /Reuters Share on Messenger Close The Duchess of Cambridge has usurped the Queen as Buckingham Palace's leading lady faster than even the most fervent royal moderniser could have hoped. The summer opening of the palace begins on Saturday, with 19 state rooms included. But all eyes will be on the ballroom, where Catherine Middleton's wedding dress is displayed on a grand dais, complete with her tiara, earrings and shoes, and the wedding cake. While the Queen holidays in Scotland, the duchess is stealing the show. Advance ticket sales for the summer opening have doubled this year – 125,000 people have already booked. With a maximum of 600,000 timed slots, exhibition organisers "are not ruling out the possibility" that it will sell out.

(One doesn't like to show off, at the palace.) The rosy afterglow of the royal wedding lingers, but the dress is a particular draw: there was a dramatic spike in ticket sales when it was announced in June the dress would go on display. The curators refused to be drawn on whether they had considered further boosting box office appeal by adding Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress to the display. Let us take it as a win for sexual equality that the wedding has turned out to be almost solely about the women. On the day, second billing went to Pippa. In this exhibition, it is Sarah Burton, designer of the dress, who gets a turn in the spotlight starring in a five-minute film shot in her studio. Even the duchess's visit to the exhibition will be with her mother-in-law, rather than her husband. Prince William, who played a competent supporting role at the Abbey, is nowhere to be seen. From a fashion perspective, the film of Burton explaining the thought process behind the dress is the highlight of the show. The subtitle of the exhibition is A Story of Great British Design, and the film demonstrates how exactly it is that Britain leads the world in fashion design.

The key challenge, she says, was that "it had to be a dress of historical importance and one which had enough presence for Westminster Abbey, and yet it needed to be modest". The instinct and talent for imbuing clothes with meaning which was at the root of her mentor's Alexander McQueen's work is strong in Burton, but with a feminine slant. She uses the language of flowers to give the dress a message which is stately and feminine. Her team found six different types of lace, each with a particularly beautiful depiction of one national flower. Thistles were cut out from one, roses from another, shamrocks and daffodils – some no bigger than a 5p piece – and arranged individually on to silk tulle for the Royal School of Needlework to appliqué.

The construction is girded with both historical references (the hip bustles, in curls of organza, were modelled on a Victorian technique) and engineering accuracy (the Emanuels, creators of Diana's famously crumpled train, could have learned from Burton's use of double layers of hidden canvas to weight and flatten.) It is compelling, also, hearing Burton talk about the duchess, and how she chose a shorter veil than is traditional because she didn't want to disguise the lacework. The weakness of the exhibition is that, for a wedding dress display, it is curiously unromantic. The dress is gorgeous, but – apart from the side view, which we haven't seen before – to be honest, the view was better on TV. All alone under the lights – no tan, no smile, no scarlet-clad husband – the slender dress is almost ghostly. Instead of all that bouncy hair, there is just the Cartier tiara lent by the Queen, suspended halo-like above the veil. Whether visitors swoon over the exhibition is likely to depend on their royalist fervour. Those who revere Queen, monarchy, palace and country will find much to admire.

Those, on the other hand, who think Will 'n' Kate seem really cute, will probably be left wishing this dazzlingly dressed tableau would come to life. The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress to go on display at Buckingham Palace this summer The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress to go on display at Buckingham Palace this summer Release date: Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace 23 July – 3 October 2011 The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, will go on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual Summer Opening (23 July – 3 October 2011). The Duchess chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Her Royal Highness worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress. The dress is made from ivory and white satin-gazar (stiffened organza). The shape of the skirt, with arches and pleats, echoes an opening flower, and the ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry – a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs.

The back of the dress is finished with 58 gazar- and organza-covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace. The train measures 2.7 metres. The Duchess’s wedding dress reflects the work of skilled craftsmen and women from across the United Kingdom. The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, founded in 1872. The lace was produced using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered on to ivory silk-tulle to create a design that incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. Each lace motif, some as small as a 5-pence piece, was applied with minute stitches every two to three millimetres. The bride’s veil, made of layers of soft, ivory silk-tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, was also embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The veil was held in place by the Cartier ‘Halo’ tiara, which was lent to The Duchess by The Queen. The tiara is formed as a band of 16 graduated scrolls set with 739 brilliants and 149 baton diamonds, each scroll being divided by a graduated brilliant with a large brilliant at the centre. The tiara was made in 1936 and purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday. The Duchess’s wedding shoes, hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen, of ivory duchesse satin and lace embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, will also form part of the display, as will the diamond earrings worn by The Duchess on her wedding day. Commissioned by the Middleton family as a personal gift to the bride from her parents, they were created by the London-based jewellers Robinson Pelham.

The design, of stylised oak leaves with a pear-shaped diamond-set drop and a pavé-set diamond acorn suspended in the centre, was inspired by the Middleton family's new coat of arms. To complement the wedding dress display, The Duke and Duchess’s wedding cake created by Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns will be shown in the State Dining Room. The multi-tiered traditional fruit cake was hand-made using British ingredients and decorated with sugar flowers. The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress and the royal wedding cake will be on display as part of the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace, which also includes the special exhibition Royal Fabergé. Tickets and visitor information (+44) (0)20 7766 7300. Additional Information The 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI in which The Duchess of Cambridge travelled to Westminster Abbey, and the 1902 State Landau carriage used by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to travel along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace, are now on public display as part of a visit to the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace.

Tickets and visitor information: (+44) (0)20 7766 7302 or The special exhibition at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace, Royal Fabergé, explores how six successive generations of the British Royal Family, from Queen Victoria to Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, have shaped the finest collection of Fabergé in the world – unparalleled in size, range and quality. The exhibition includes many pieces exchanged as personal gifts between the British and Imperial Russian Royal Families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to mark special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. For media enquiries relating to the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace and to register your interest in any media facilities, please contact the Royal Collection Press Office, +44 (0)20 7839 1377, bpso@royalcollection.org.uk . For media enquiries relating to The Duchess of Cambridge, please contact Clarence House Press Office, +44 (0)20 7024 5506.

Admission to Buckingham Palace is managed by the Royal Collection Trust, a charity registered in England and Wales (1016972) and in Scotland (SCO39772). Modern Royal Wedding Dresses: Kate Middleton, Princess Madeleine Among Our Favourites (PHOTOS) Modern Royal Wedding Dresses: Kate Middleton, Princess Madeleine Among Our Favourites (PHOTOS) The Huffington Post Canada reddit ADVERTISEMENT Princess Madeleine of Sweden's extravagant Valentino Haut Couture wedding gown has sparked royal wedding dress fever, the likes which haven't been seen since the Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William in an elegant Alexander McQueen gown in 2011 . Madeleine, who married banker Christopher O'Neill over the weekend, wore a wedding gown which featured a full skirt with a four-metre long train worthy of a European queen, a six-metre long veil embroidered with Chantilly lace flowers and a tiara which was adorned with orange blossoms. Of course, the 30-year-old blond's wedding dress reminds us of another royal's wedding duds: Kate Middleton's McQueen gown.

Story continues below slideshow:   Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Kate's wedding dress was kept hush-hush right until the morning of her nupitals. The gown featured an ivory silk tulle veil, a boned bodice, padded hips and a nine-foot long pleated skirt made of hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace. Madeleine's wedding gown featured a full skirt with a four-metre long train, a six-metre long veil embroidered with Chantilly lace flowers and a tiara which was adorned with orange blossoms. On her wedding to Daniel Westling on June 19, 2010, Victoria wore a cream duchess silk satin dress by Swedish designer Par Engsheden. Featuring a rounded, almost off the shoulder collar, cap sleeves and a full skirt, the dress was a perfect combination of modesty and elegance. At her 2002 wedding to Ari Behn, Princess Martha wore a fun off-white gown that featured a high collar, pointy shoulders and an overcoat.

The then-princess wore an extravagant lace gown which featured a high collar, a flared skirt and a 16 foot train at her 2002 wedding to Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. At her 2011 wedding to Prince Albert, the former competitive swimmer wore a slim-cut Armani gown that had 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl teardrops and 30,000 gold stones. The dress, composed of 50 meters of off white silk duchess and 80 meters of silk organza took 2,500 hours to make. The princess wore a draped skirt which gave the illusion that she was walking on a cloud on her wedding day to Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. Camilla wore a knee-length white frock during the civil service but opted to wear a gold and blue coat over a blue chiffon dress at her and Prince Charles' blessing service in 2005. We can't take our eyes off her feathered hat!

The princess wore a traditional white gown, which was made from heirloom Bruges lace from the Dutch royal family, at her wedding to Albert Brenninkmeijer in 2012. The Canadian married Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, in 2008 wearing a strapless gown with a lace bodice and a delicate shoulder cover. The granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II married rugby player Mike Tindall in 2011 wearing a shiny white gown with a flared skirt and tulle shoulder straps.  Share Royal wedding: What are they saying about the dress? - BBC News BBC News Royal wedding: What are they saying about the dress? 29 April 2011 Close share panel Image caption The dress was designed by Sarah Burton Crowds outside Westminster Abbey were stunned by the dress chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge as she stepped out of the wedding car. After months of speculation, the closely guarded secret of who would be designing the royal wedding dress and what it would look like was revealed. Sarah Burton, who was first rumoured to have been given the high-profile job in March, is the lead designer at Alexander McQueen.

Having been the protegee of Alexander McQueen himself, she took over as creative director of the fashion house following his death in 2010. Reaction from the fashion world and the general public to the long-sleeved, V-necked lace dress has been overwhelmingly positive. The Telegraph's fashion director Hilary Alexander hailed Mrs Burton's design "the Wedding Dress of the Century." The dress in detail 1. The 1936 Cartier "halo" tiara was lent to the bride by The Queen 2. The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers 3. The bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, is a hallmark of McQueen's designs 4. For the dress, individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and sewn onto ivory silk tulle 5. The train measures 2m 70cm 6.

The shoes (hidden), made of satin with hand-embroidered lace, were also Alexander McQueen Dress embroiderers were kept in the dark Wedding dress designer Phillipa Lepley, who had been touted as a potential candidate herself, gave BBC News her initial reaction: "It's very understated, quite classic and timeless. It's almost Grace Kelly-esque." As the bride walked down the aisle, fashion magazine Grazia drew similar comparisons with the late Princess Grace of Monaco: "Kate Middleton is the perfect Grace Kelly Princess bride! Everyone in the office crying about Sarah Burton (yesss!) designing the royal wedding dress. Anyone else feel like they've died and gone to fashion heaven...?" Karl Lagerfeld recognised elements of another famous wedding dress, one that is even closer to home - that of the groom's grandmother, the Queen. As the Chanel designer told France 2 Television, "The dress is classic and goes very well in the Westminster decor. "It almost reminds me of (Queen) Elizabeth's wedding, the royal weddings in the (19)50s. The proportion of the train is good. The lace is very pretty.

I like the veil a lot." Despite the McQueen label being known for some fairly risque creations in the past, it was clear on this occasion that would not be the case. Harriet Quick, fashion features editor at Vogue admired the newly anointed duchess's decision not to go with too modern a style: "It has a retro feel to it which nods to a lot of nostalgia and history but at the same time she looks very easy in it. It's incredibly grown-up, it's timeless, so I think it shows a very smart choice, one which suits her but it's incredibly respectful for her as the commoner joining the Royal Family." Hubert de Givenchy who founded the House of Givenchy fashion label approved of the decision to go with the British Alexander McQueen: "It's a lovely thought, a nice tribute." With an estimated global audience of over two billion, it was going to be an enormous publicity coup for whichever designer was chosen by the duchess. Harold Tillman, chairman of the British Fashion Council, called the wedding a victory for British fashion. Who is Sarah Burton?

Studied print fashion at Central St Martins Upon graduation in 1997 she became Alexander McQueen's personal assistant Appointed McQueen's head of womanswear in 2000 Designed the wedding dress for Sara Buys, the Duchess of Cornwall's daughter-in-law Following McQueen's death in 2010, she succeeded him as the label's creative director "She is so stunningly beautiful, it's so regal, it's such understatement that I think it's just perfection. "It's the most beautiful dress, the train was not too long, and she's got the height that carries it off." Although not quite the eight-metre train that Princess Diana led down the aisle at St Pauls, the decision to have one has been applauded by fashion commentators. Bryony Toogood, fashion director of Brides magazine , said, "Wow! A dress by Sarah Burton for McQueen completely befitting of a princess - and thank goodness a train!" Several commentators noted that the dress was in keeping with the former St Andrews student's personal style. Designer Caroline Castigliano, who described the bride's appearance as "absolutely fabulous", thought that this was very much her own look.

"She showed her personality through her style," she said. "She has showed us her style over the last nine years and today that shone through. "It was perfect for the day and perfect for Britain and for her personality." Image caption Is the duchess's dress similar to that of Grace Kelly back in 1956? What are they saying about the dress? British bridal designer Suzanne Neville also suggests that the dress was "quite predictable". "I thought it was exactly what most people thought she was going to wear, but it was beautiful, absolutely stunning," she said. Ms Neville agreed that Prince William's new wife made exactly the right choice. "The technical side of it is breathtaking. I think the workmanship definitely shines through and I'm glad she chose such a top couturier, someone who knows the right skills. She chose an absolute professional," she said. Jenny Swire, fashion director of Wedding magazine, wonders whether the duchess's decison to go for a more traditional dress have been heavily influenced by the grand scale of the occasion. "I thought she might have been a bit more chic but I saw that in what [her sister] Pippa was wearing.

I think she (Kate) may have wanted to wear something a bit more like what Pippa was wearing but if she had not been marrying a prince maybe she could have done." Online, it has been difficult to find anyone with anything but praise for the dress. On Twitter, commentators like what they see. Anna Stanley, tweeting as StanandDeliver says "kate middleton, Grace Kelly style......beautiful" Designer Antonio Marras, Kenzo "The choice of the label and the style of the dress was a very clever mix between edgy fashion and tradition - all in a very British way. "You could see references to Grace Kelly or Queen Elizabeth's dresses, but in a simpler, more modern way." Amanda Burcul is similarly complimentary: "This is just so exciting!!! Kate is stunning. Just a pure classic beauty, so natural. Love it!" Poppy Ntshongwana tweeting as PoppyIsMyName , says "Kate at Westminister Abbey! GORGEOUS !!" Diane Morris, tweeting as BridesButler , says on how well the dress has been tailored for the duchess: "The bodice fits her like a glove!

Beautiful fit!" ShanDN sums up her view of the dress simply: "Now that's a PRINCESS!" Those who had travelled from far and wide to watch the spectacle were not disappointed by what they saw. Marybeth Anderson who had flown in from Washington DC, was outside the abbey when the bride arrived. She said: "It's a beautiful dress. The V-neck is pretty and also the long sleeves but she was always going to look beautiful. It's very classical, very traditional with her veil and hair down." Sue Clavans from Leeds, who had camped out overnight, agreed: "It's a gorgeous dress, stunning and so elegant. "She looks like a proper princess." Kate Middleton wedding dress, up-close - Photo 1 - Pictures - CBS News Kate Middleton wedding dress, up-close Next The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. The Duchess of Cambridge's dress featured lace applique floral detail and was made of ivory and white satin gazar with a nine-foot train.

She wore when she wed Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, on April 29, 2011. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images A detail of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Cartier "Halo" tiara, worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

The tiara, which was her "something borrowed," was loaned to the bride by the Queen, a tradition for royal weddings.The Duchess of Cambridge wore the tiara on her wedding day, April 29, 2011, when she married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding earrings are photographed before they go on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. The diamond earrings were commissioned by the Middleton family as a personal gift to the bride from her parents, and were worn on her wedding day, April 29, 2011, when she married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

The Duchess of Cambridge's dress featured lace applique floral detail and was made of ivory and white satin gazar with a nine-foot train. It was worn her wedding day, April 29, 2011, when she married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images A detail of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images A detail of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. The Duchess of Cambridge's dress featured lace applique floral detail and was made of ivory and white satin gazar with a nine-foot train. It was worn her wedding day on April 29, 2011, to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's bridal shoes are photographed before they go on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

The ivory shoes show slight signs of wear and tear and have 'Alexander McQueen' embossed on the inner-sole. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal wedding cake is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The first cut made by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the royal wedding cake is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images Cake designer Fiona Cairns poses with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal wedding cake as it is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images A recreation of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding bouquet is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. The bouquet, made of lily of the vallery, hyacinths, ivy and myrtle (which was grown from the bouquet of Queen Victoria), was featured in her wedding day, April 29, 2011, when she married Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the exhibition display, adjusts the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, before it goes on exhibit at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the exhibition display, adjusts the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, before it goes on exhibit at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images A detail of the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London. Monaco's royal newlyweds tour wedding exhibit Credit: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/ Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, is photographed before it goes on display at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening on July 20, 2011, in London.

Pippa Middleton: my bridesmaid dress fitted a little too well - Telegraph Pippa Middleton Pippa Middleton: my bridesmaid dress fitted a little too well Pippa Middleton confesses that the bridesmaid dress she wore for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding "fitted a little too well" Pippa Middleton reveals being a bridesmaid changed her life forever Photo: REUTERS Follow Pippa Middleton has revealed how the figure-hugging bridesmaid dress which she wore at the wedding of her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge, changed her life forever. Miss Middleton, who gained instant fame when she appeared in a fitted Alexander McQueen dress for the wedding, confessed she didn’t sleep for two nights because she was so nervous about the royal occasion. She said that while the recognition she received since the Royal Wedding in April 2011 had given her opportunities, this too has had its pitfalls. Miss Middleton said accusations that she had been cashing in on her connections to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been hurtful and she admitted the negative response to her book, Celebrate, had been “difficult.” The book sold around 18,000 copies.

Speaking at the Women in Advertising and Communications Dinner, Miss Middleton also revealed the pitfalls of the bridesmaid dress that earned her overnight fame. The simple cowl-neck dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, immediately thrust Miss Middleton into the limelight and made her a fashion icon. Related Articles Replica of Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress goes on sale at Debenhams 26 Oct 2011 She said: “As I have found out, recognition has its upside, its downside and – you may say – its backside.” She confessed that while she was just pleased at the time that the dress fitted, “in retrospect maybe it fitted a little too well,” the Daily Mirror reported. Around 400 guests attended the £132 event, and Miss Middleton received positive responses to her first after-dinner speech, at the Savoy Hotel in London. Lisa Watch posted on Twitter: “Had a fab night @TheSavoyLondon for the #wacl dinner. Witnessed Pippa Middleton's first public speech...history in the making!” &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Sam Hughes - Great night with Pippa Middleton's first ever public speech - she was fantastic!

&amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#wacl&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; Miss Middleton is taking advice from Seven Dials, a PR firm run by Simon Kelner, former editor of the Independent. Other speakers at the Women in Advertising and Communications Dinner have included Ruby Max, Ed Miliband and Danny Boyle. Replicas of the infamous dress have since been sold at both Debenhams and Net a Porter.

Question: Who designed the wedding dress for the Duchess of Cambridge?
Answer: Sarah Burton